US consults with PM on Afghanistan

US President Barack Obama to 'consult closely' with Prime Minister David Cameron over Afghanistan

US President Barack Obama told David Cameron he would continue to "consult closely" with the UK over Afghanistan amid controversy over the US general leading the military campaign.

The leaders discussed in a phone call on Tuesday night the furore over critical comments made about the the president and senior White House figures by General Stanley McChrystal, Downing Street said.

Gen McChrystal has been summoned to Washington to explain criticisms contained in a Rolling Stone magazine profile - and his position is thought to be under threat.

Downing Street said the issue was raised by Mr Obama during the call - scheduled to discuss the summit of G20 nations in Canada this weekend.

But a spokesman insisted the general's future was "a matter for Nato and the US administration.

"The Prime Minister and the president agreed that they both remained fully supportive of the current strategy in Afghanistan," he went on.

"The president said he would continue to consult closely with the Prime Minister."

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs has said the General made a "profound" mistake and repeatedly declined to guarantee that they would not lead to him being axed from the role.

Former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "Divisions between the White House and General McChrystal are more than just significant in the US.

"They have a direct relevance to both strategy and its implementation in Afghanistan. Britain is subordinate to the US in the Afghan operation and any suggestion of a lack of clarity in the Nato mission is deeply damaging."